Review/redesign of the Thailand seed development project

Special evaluation covers the period 10/75-10/80 and is based on a review of the project by two seed experts. Although slower than anticipated, progress has nonetheless been substantial: 3,000 MT of seed of six crops was produced in FY80 and demand for seed far exceeds production capacity; 3,500 contract farm families are participating in the project; a 250-member seed division has been established within the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE); four seed centers have been established and Japan has financed a fifth; two private seed companies are emerging; and seed has been supplied for special projects, especially during emergency situations. Delays in project implementation are due to the host country"s lack of familiarity in procuring technical assistance and equipment. Major problems encountered to date include the lack of proper disposal of waste material and cull seed and the setting of seed prices below production costs. Potential problems are posed by the marketing and distribution of processed seed and the possibility of too rapid an expansion of the seed program. To improve project performance, it is recommended that: procedures be established for the immediate disposal of all waste material and cull seed; the Marketing Organization for Farmers be disengaged from the project but continue to function as a primary outlet for project seed; a seed promotion/distribution section be established at each seed center and within the central seed division office; seed prices be raised to cover production costs; seed production targets be revised downward to take into account project delays and private sector seed production; the seed division"s management style be altered to fit the operating phase into which the project is moving; private sector partcipation in the seed industry be assisted and encouraged; the Royal Thai Government and USAID/T document the project"s economic benefits and obtain data needed for planning future development of the Thai seed industry; and a working capital account be developed and established as a permanent fiscal mechanism to serve the needs of the DOAE seed division. Recommendations are also made for seed production (9), project implementation (15), and inoculum production (3).